Aasif Malik
Srinagar, Sep 20 (KNS): National Conference MLA from Pampore Justice (retd) Hasnain Masoodi has moved a resolution in the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly seeking a five-day working week for students, arguing that the academic burden on children warrants a two-day break from school.
Masoodi told the Kashmir News Service (KNS) that he had also taken up the proposal with Education Minister Sakina Itoo, who, he said, would discuss it with the Directors of School Education Jammu and Kashmir and the Director of Colleges.
“Students have the pressure of education, books etc. They are burnt out and they should get a two day holiday,” Masoodi said, adding that teachers could use the additional time for assessment-related work while students get time away from academics.
The MLA said the issue required greater attention as children’s concerns were often overlooked in policymaking.
“Students’ issues are least taken up as they don’t have votes. Adult issues are taken up,” he said.
Masoodi also referred to the need to reduce the academic burden on students, saying the education policy itself emphasised that children should not be unnecessarily overburdened.
He said the proposed five-day week was not only about reducing classroom days but also about giving children time for rest and recreation.
“Parents don’t want it; they want how their leisure time should be the same, but we have to see how we can give leisure time to our children,” he said.
The proposal comes as the Assembly begins its session in Srinagar on Monday. Masoodi said he had already placed the issue before the House and separately discussed it with the Education Minister.
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Itoo, according to Masoodi, has agreed to take the proposal forward with the Director School Education Kashmir (DSEK), Director School Education Jammu (DSEJ) and Director Colleges.
The proposal has also received support from Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, who backed a two-day weekly break for students and said their time outside school should be considered part of their overall development.
“I believe that this is the right decision. I support it 100 per cent. We feel that the children should get at least two days off,” Mirwaiz said while speaking at a Seerat programme at Jamia Masjid, Srinagar.
Mirwaiz said the focus of education should not be limited to completing the syllabus and that students should have time for their families, play and community activities.
“Our focus should not only be on education, that we have to complete the syllabus. The overall focus of the children should be that they get time at home, they get time with their family, they get time to play, they get time to go to their community,” he said.
He said students were already dealing with schoolwork, tuition and additional classes and that a two-day break could help them return to school with a “fresh mind”.
Mirwaiz also referred to two-day weekends followed in several countries, saying the government should consider the practice for students in Jammu and Kashmir.
“I believe that the government should move forward with this practice and announce a two-day holiday so that the children can come to their schools on Monday with a fresh mind,” he said.(KNS)
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